Invitation to 2017 Annual Summit – Emerging Diseases and Preparedness

You are invited.

Dear Friends and Special Guests of VASEM,

The 5th Annual VASEM Summit will be held October 29, 30 on the theme of Emerging Infections and Preparedness. This event will address many facets of science, engineering, and of course, medicine. All activities will be held at the historic National Academy of Sciences on 2101 Constitution Avenue in Washington DC. Registration is limited. As a VASEM friend or special guest, you are invited to register here. There is no charge to participate in the Summit.

Sunday 5:30-7:30pm. Reception and Poster Session. VASEM Summit activities will begin with a reception and research poster session for all members and Summit attendees. If you would like to present a poster on a science, engineering, or medicine topic, please contact Andrew Densmore to reserve an easel. Spaces are limited.

Monday 7:00am (Summit registration/breakfast), 7:45am (opening), 3:30pm (closing). The Summit will feature a blue-ribbon group of national and emerging leaders from the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and universities. Summit organizer, Dr. X.J. Meng is an internationally known virologist and NAS member. Distinguished guests include NAS President Marcia McNutt, Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson, and Virginia Secretary of Health Bill Hazel.

Virginia, and indeed the nation, must better prepare for the consequences of infectious diseases in our increasingly dense population centers. New biotechnologies present unprecedented threats, both unintended and politically-motivated.

Lecture Sponsorships. To offset costs and highlight VASEM supporters, we are offering a limited number of Lecture Sponsorships at $2,500. per each (tax-deductible). We invite VASEM members and friends to sponsor a lecture on behalf of their organization or in honor of a special individual. Sponsorships will be featured in the printed and online Summit materials and during the meeting. Contact Andrew Densmore, VASEM Executive Director, or me to reserve.

This is an exciting time for the Virginia Academy. Senator Warner’s original vision for VASEM is being realized— to help the Commonwealth make informed, nonpartisan decisions in technical matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Proof of concept is seen in our 2017 study of the Virginia Aerospace industry for the Joint Commission of Technology and Science (JCOTS). New requests to VASEM include the review panel for applications to the Virginia Research Investment Fund and assistance with the Virginia Strategic Roadmap for 2020.